Responses to the New Age

Socialism Socialism – a political and economic theory of social organization advocating state ownership and control of natural resources and commercial activities

Opposite of Laissez faire Many workers and intellectuals wanted a complete restructuring of society that would eliminate inhumanity and exploitation Not jut political, but social and economic

Early Socialists Saint-Simon, Fourier, Owen – utopians (island) Marx, came later, and saw himself as a scientific socialist Revolution necessary

Saint-Simon Property and wealth corrupts people No inherent hostility between owner and worker It was the existing system and private property that was bad Both should strive for the common good Social structure had to change with time No inheritance, public ownership of industry

Charles Fourier No faith in industrial society Small community away from the rest Self sufficient, cooperative comminty Based on agriculture and craftsmanship Members share equally in life Paid by dividend, not wages Be paid by talent and contribution Create a community that responds to individual needs, not the opposite

Robert Owen Successful business man Believed that happy worker was a good worker Limited hours, schools, health care affordable housing, profit sharing Environmentalist- change the environment of your workers Founded a colony in New Harmony, Indiana